Who is West Ham target Diego Poyet?

West Ham United have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Diego Poyet from Charlton Athletic.

The 19-year-old is available and has also interested Stoke City and Newcastle United.

Here’s the lowdown on Sam Allardyce’s potential acquisition.

That’s a familiar name…

Yes, Diego is the son of none other than current Sunderland manager and former Chelsea and Tottenham star Gus. He was born while his dad played for Real Zaragoza in Spain.

So will he play for Uruguay as well then?

Well due to his parentage and place of birth, Poyet is eligible for Uruguay and Spain, but he grew up in England and has so far represented the Three Lions at both U16 and U17 level.

How has he performed at Charlton?

Excellently. He only broke into the first team in January, with a debut as a substitute in an FA Cup win over Oxford United but started in the Championship clash with Wigan Athletic on February 1st and eventually scooped the 2013/14 Charlton player of the year award.

How does he play?

An industrious midfielder who isn’t afraid to get stuck in, Poyet junior is less forward-minded than his father was. He has an excellent passing range but his best assets are his physical presence and ability to intercept the ball and break up attacks. His former manager at the Valley, Chris Powell, said: ‘Diego is the one who will break attacks up and start them.’

Where would he fit in at Upton Park?

Towards the end of last season, Mark Noble often played alongside Matt Taylor at the centre of Allardyce’s team, behind captain Kevin Nolan. With Taylor now departed, a position alongside Noble could be available for Poyet to claim immediately. He may not be rushed into Premier League life, but in the long term his role will be linking the defence with the team’s creators such as the returning Ravel Morrison, Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis.